Faces of Wellness

R. Andrew Cummings Q.C. 12.SEPT.08

The ancient Greeks defined the ideal life as one which attained “A Healthy Balance of Mind, Body and Spirit”, which results in an overall feeling of wellbeing. Across the centuries, although nuanced, this basic definition remains intact.{{more}}

The issues hinged to wellness range far and wide and include, among other things, the quality of health services, the tidiness of the environment, social support, leisure, spirituality, family, work, money, diet and security. In modern times, there are experts counseling in every area of wellness. This all-embracing concept has been dealt with in various publications by W.H.O., P.A.H.O. and the Caribbean Commission on Health and Development, as well as many other publications world wide.

A Cause Bigger Than Each of Us

In this modern, fast-paced, high-stressed and globalized world, the quest for wellness presents a formidable challenge and opportunity summoning supreme discipline. It calls for a movement of the spirit based on a positively focused conviction. How many of us pay ‘lip service’ to the concept without even trying? Our local “Wellness Revolution” demands effort; it is a cause célèbre aimed at promoting and enhancing our collective wellbeing. The spin-off (if achieved) is manifold, resulting in greater productivity, enhancing the spirit of community, reducing violence and crime, improving educational standards, witnessing the renaissance of sports (especially West Indies cricket now adrift) and lessening the cost of medical services among other things. So there is no excuse whatsoever for us to refuse to hold hands in the promotion of the common good.

Even if we are yet to start on this venture it behooves us all to embrace some aspect of it, travelling one step at a time. After all, we are entitled by divine prescription to wellness for The Master has proclaimed “I’ve come that you may have life and have it to the fullest”.

As for me, the distance is far but I have resumed in hot pursuit. I’ve consulted the leaflet “Dietary Guidelines for St. Vincent and the Grenadines” (which is available to the general public) and which provides nine useful pieces of advice. For starters, I’ve adopted point nine (9) which states; “Get moving! Increase physical activity daily. To increase physical activity you can do any of the following for 30 minutes to 1 hour everyday: – Brisk walking, running, jogging, cycling, stepping, skipping, swimming or aerobic dancing. I now cycle away as often as I can, – have you started to do any of the foregoing? If so, go on and on to fulfillment. You and by extension St. Vincent and the Grenadines will be the beneficiaries.

Start Today!!